By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
 
January 22, 2019-A soccer tournament where no scores are kept, no trophies are handed out and the refs donate their time has made the Shamrock Shootout a unique experience for East Hudson Youth Soccer League (EHYSL) players. 50 teams made up of both boys and girls squads are expected to play in the 5th Annual Shamrock Shootout on the weekend of March 2 and 3 at The Net at Gold’s Gym in LaGrange. 

All the proceeds go to non-profit organization Kickin’ Back, to help in its mission to maximize the vast potential of adolescents in underserved communities throughout the world through the use of soccer as a tool for social and physical development. Kieran McIlvenny and his wife Donna, a RN, founded Kickin’ Back, as well as the Shamrock Shootout to help fund their non-profit organization.

This indoor tournament is Kickin’ Back’s largest fundraiser every year and it has raised nearly $100,000 since its inception. After every match, each team chooses a player from the opposing team who showed exceptional sportsmanship and that player receives a small soccer ball with the Kickin’ Back logo on it.

Approximately 38,000 items of soccer gear and 20,000 children’s books have already been sent to underserved communities. 

Kickin’ Back is in need of items to auction during the Shamrock Shootout’s silent auction. They are also accepting soccer gear, sports bras and children’s books that will be shipped to Africa at a later date.

“We've recently built a school library in Namibia. We have two big projects this year, a school library and dining hall in the Otjozindjupa region of Namibia and a soccer pitch and education center in Chituka, Malawi,” Kieran explained, “Special thanks to all those who volunteer at the tournament and to Gold’s Gym for kindly donating the fields for the tournament.”
 
For more info about either the Shamrock Shootout or Kickin’ Back, please contact Kieran at irishcoach@yahoo.com or 914-456-2640.

With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with nine leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.